GKN Aerospace expands partnership with General Atomics

The components will be manufactured from GKN’s Cowes facility in the UK.

SkyGuardian is the baseline system of the RAF’s Protector RG Mk1 and has also been selected by Belgian Defence and the Australian Defence Force.

This represents another important milestone in the 10-year strategic relationship between the two companies, and adds to the strong investment General Atomics is making in UK industries.

“We value our long relationship with GKN Aerospace as a strategic supplier of critical aerospace subsystems to support our global supply chain,” said Tommy Dunehew, vice president of international strategic development for General Atomics. “We are pleased to expand this relationship with composite structures manufactured in the UK. This will mean that not only the RAF’s Protector will have UK-manufactured tails, but the global MQ-9B fleet will also benefit from tails manufactured in the UK.”

GKN has been a global supplier to the MQ-9 programme for a decade, with the strategic partnership on GA-ASI’s world-leading RPAS starting in 2010. Activities began with the design and build of the “fit and forget” fuel bladder system in Portsmouth, UK, followed by the production of fuel bladders in the USA. Today, GKN Aerospace manufactures a range of products including the lightweight landing gear system, which it produces in the Netherlands.

Krisstie Kondrotis, president of GKN Aerospace’s defence business, said: “We are extremely proud to be a key supplier for GA-ASI on the MQ-9B programme and this agreement helps to strengthen that partnership. We have ambitious plans to grow our defence business and this is an important milestone for GKN Aerospace, and especially the Cowes facility, paving the way for continued growth in the UK for advanced aerostructures manufacturing. GA-ASI is the market leader in RPAS, while GKN Aerospace is a market and technology leader in advanced aerostructures, special products and lightweight technologies. Our long-term collaboration continues to demonstrate the strong commitment the two companies share.”

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